Legacy of the Blade

The tall woman shifted her posture, clasping her fingers behind her back, which accentuated her full and voluptuous figure. With a playful yet gentle smile, she teased, "What do you think, Master Fu?"

The young man was taken aback by her bold words, unsure how to respond. After all, he was here with a mission: to strengthen ties and secure the future of his entire family—a task that carried the weight of a century's legacy, even a millennium's prosperity. No matter how captivating the woman before him was, he dared not risk public gossip in the small town by indulging in any romantic dalliance with her.

He quickly changed the subject, pointing toward a small alley. With a calm smile, he said, "Lady Tai, business is business. Let me reiterate our agreement: there are two families in this alley—a mother and child, and a master-servant pair. You may choose first. For collateral, we agreed on the cloudstone, a specialty of your Cloud River Mountain, which you deliver ten pieces annually to our Old Dragon City."

The woman nodded with a bewitching smile. "Of course, that works."

As the young man strolled ahead, he continued, "Once you achieve the fortune you seek here beyond your clan's expectations, the resulting spoils must be evaluated by the grandmasters of both sides. Based on their assessment, you'll owe us half the value in cloudstone. Lady Tai, do you have any objections? More importantly, are you confident that once you gain this advantage, your elders at Cloud River Mountain will approve of this gamble?"

The woman's expression shifted dramatically, transforming from a playful courtesan-like demeanor to the poised grace of an empress. With unwavering conviction, she declared, "Yes, I can guarantee it."

The young man narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. He stopped walking and faced her, matching her height. "Let me make this clear. This alliance is purely strategic, not some romantic meeting of kindred spirits. The relationship between Old Dragon City and Cloud River Mountain has been carefully cultivated over centuries. If this endeavor angers the elders, neither I, Fu Nan Hua, nor you, Lady Tai, nor even our parents or masters, can bear the consequences."

Tai Jin Jian smiled sweetly. "That's why we need absolute honesty and cooperation during our time here, right?"

Fu Nan Hua smirked, his refined and elegant demeanor shining even in the shadowy alley. "Beyond that…"

He glanced behind him, lowering his voice. "We must also keep an eye on those two. They don't come from the righteous sects and are known for their unorthodox, ruthless methods."

The tall woman squinted her phoenix-like eyes playfully. "That's precisely why I chose you, Master Fu."

Fu Nan Hua chuckled softly. "Let's proceed. Though the sages' influence balances power here, it's best to stay cautious. A single misstep could cost us dearly. Ultimately, whether the carp leaps through the dragon gate depends on what we do here."

Resolute in his goal, Fu Nan Hua steeled himself. The great path is mine to take. Even gods and immortals will not stand in my way!

His gaze turned toward the depths of the alley, where a thin young boy was approaching. It was their second encounter. As the pair walked closer together, they seemed like a celestial couple descended to earth.

The woman noticed the boy as well and joked, "This is our second time crossing paths with him. What do you think, Master Fu? Could he be…"

She left the sentence unfinished, but Fu Nan Hua understood her implication and chuckled. "My dear Lady Tai, there are six hundred households in this small town, including the servants of the great families—nearly five thousand people in total. While there are hidden talents here, most have long been claimed by others. The only reason we can move under the radar is that those with real power are deliberately letting us."

The woman smiled self-deprecatingly, feeling slightly embarrassed by her earlier thought.

After a moment of hesitation, Fu Nan Hua added, "I don't know what your grandmaster taught you, but my father gave me some advice: If someone here gives you an inexplicable sense of dread, avoid them at all costs. Such people are likely our competitors in this treasure hunt. On the other hand, if someone feels trustworthy and close, they may hold great fortune in this land and might even be key to a breakthrough. Just remember, don't kill recklessly or violate the town's hidden rules. Beyond that, whether you negotiate, deceive, or take by force—it's up to you."

Tai Jin Jian smiled slyly. "It's all up to our mood, isn't it?"

She suddenly furrowed her brows. "Master Fu, why didn't you let me bring along a local guide from the Zhao family? I even learned some of their dialect…"

Fu Nan Hua interrupted, shaking his head. "The old families have deep roots and secret channels, even under the sages' watch. They could leak information without getting caught, jeopardizing our plans. Their backing far surpasses ours. Borrowing their help might seem convenient but would be disastrous in the long run. If you don't want to negotiate, I can handle it."

Tai Jin Jian laughed lightly. "It's just a few awkward phrases. I'm not that fragile."

Fu Nan Hua smiled politely, and the two continued without further discussion.

After all, allies met along the way could never compare to one's own kin.

For someone ambitious enough to seek the Dao, even family bonds—parent and child, husband and wife, or siblings—were insignificant.

With a serene smile, Fu Nan Hua exuded confidence and poise, embodying the elegance of a true aristocrat.

His willingness to share his father's teachings with Tai Jin Jian had a simple reason: unlike their other companions—a reserved middle-aged man and a cold, black-clad woman—Fu Nan Hua had decided from the moment they entered the town that he would kill Tai Jin Jian once their alliance had served its purpose.